Meet the Entire Cast of Riverdale, The CW's Archie Comics Pilot (PHOTOS)
School's in Session
The CW is looking to a different kind of comic books for its next potential hit. The network is developing Riverdale, a dark, live-action television series based on the Archie Comics characters. With many of the major roles cast, we round up the actors who will be stepping into the characters' shoes.
K.J. Apa as Archie Andrews
One of pop culture's most recognizable gingers is decidedly not one with the brunet Apa (best known for his run on New Zealand soap, Shortland Street) in the role. Archie Comics chief creative officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, who also wrote the pilot, previously told TVInsider, “Archie spent the summer working at his dad’s construction site company, and he got hot. So he shows up for sophomore year, and all the girls are like, ‘What happened to Archie over the summer?'”In addition to his CW-level looks, Archie is "trying to balance his passion for writing and performing music—against the wishes of his father and his football coach."
Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper
Reinhart—who last appeared on television as Heather in Fox's Surviving Jack—will portray Betty, Archie's neighbor/potential love interest. Betty spent the summer in Los Angeles as an intern and has returned home, "determined to finally get out of the friend zone with Archie and get into the girlfriend/boyfriend zone,” Aguirre-Sacasa said. “Betty’s sort of like the perfect girl, perfect student/student council president, and I think we’re really getting underneath the cost of being the perfect girl in today’s world."
Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge
Possibly blocking Betty's love connection with Archie? Socialite Veronica, portrayed by newcomer Mendes. “Veronica and her mom move back to Riverdale under very mysterious circumstances,” Aguirre-Sacasa previously teased, hinting at a Virgin Suicides connection to the show's central mystery. Veronica returns to school from New York, "eager to reinvent herself after a scandal involving her father."
Cole Sprouse as Jughead
Sprouse—best known for his role in Disney's The Suite Life of Zack and Cody with his twin, Dylan—is taking on the class clown/jokester persona for The CW pilot. In the comics, Jughead is best friends with Archie, has a dog named Hot Dog and always loves to eat.
Ashleigh Murray as Josie McCoy
The 2001 film Josie and the Pussycats (with Rachael Leigh Cook portraying Josie) was based on the adventures of Josie and her band. In The CW pilot, Murray's character is still a band leader, but she has no interest in collaborating with fellow musician, Archie. She's also described as “a gorgeous, snooty and ambitious girl.”
Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom
Every CW show needs a villain, and Petsch is set to take on the role of Cheryl Blossom, the "lead villainess for Season 1…and she’s really crazy,” said Aguirre-Sacasa. Not only is Cheryl "rich, entitled and never accountable," she's also "a manipulative mean girl who kills with kindness" who "recently lost her twin brother in a mysterious accident." Basically, the perfect CW foe.
Ross Butler as Reggie Mantle
Archie’s rival, Reggie, will be played by Butler, who was last seen on K.C. Undercover. In the comics, Reggie often has feelings for Veronica, so it’s possible the Betty-Archie-Veronica love triangle will actually be a love square.
Cody Kearsley as Moose Mason
TV newbie Kearsley will portray Moose, Riverdale’s “resident jock.” In the comics, Moose is often very sensitive, and has had issues in school.
Daniel Yang as Dilton Doiley
Yang—a relative TV newbie—will play Dilton, the smartest kid at Riverdale High. Though his main focus is studying, he does have an unlikely friendship with Moose in the comics.
Casey Cott as Kevin Keller
Newcomer Cott will play the first openly gay character in Archie Comics history. (The character was first introduced in 2010—the issue did so well that Archie comics had to issue another printing.)
Luke Perry as Fred Andrews
Fred Andrews—Archie's pop—has certainly been CW-ized. Gone is the balding, frumpy father from the comics; instead, Perry (who has experience with teen dramas, thanks to his time on Beverly Hills, 90210) will portray a more put-together Mr. Andrews.Plus: An Inside Look at The Unauthorized Beverly Hills, 90210 Story
Mädchen Amick as Alice Cooper
The actress, who recently starred in Witches of East End, will play Betty’s mother, Alice. In The CW series, Betty spent the summer away from home, so how will Alice react to the changes in her daughter?
